The 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
Henri Bendel to Shutter All Locations
Owner L Brands Inc. will close the retailer’s 23 stores and shut down its e-commerce site in January.

Columbus, Ohio—L Brands Inc. has announced it will shutter all 23 Henri Bendel stores and e-commerce in January 2019.
The owner of Victoria’s Secret said in a media release the move would increase shareholder value.
Until the closure, the fashion accessories retailer and its website will continue to stock new merchandise for the holiday season.
Store associates who remain with Henri Bendel through January will receive a retention bonus. Employees will be able to interview for other positions within L Brands or will receive separation pay and job search support, the company said.
In addition to Victoria’s Secret, L Brands operates Pink, Bath & Body Works and La Senza. It has 3,084 stores worldwide and its brands are also sold in more than 800 franchised locations.
L Brands estimated that in 2018 Henri Bendel would reach $85 million in revenue but total $45 million in operating losses, excluding the costs of closing its stores.
“We are committed to improving performance in the business and increasing shareholder value,” Chairman and CEO Leslie Wexner said. “As part of that effort, we have decided to stop operating Bendel to improve company profitability and focus on our larger brands that have greater growth potential.
“This decision is right for the future growth of our company, but not easy because of the impact to our L Brands family. I want to thank our Bendel associates for their dedication to this iconic brand and to our loyal Bendel customers.”
Henri Bendel opened his original store, a millinery, in 1895. A branding pioneer, he registered his own trademark that year and created the store’s iconic brown-and-white striped shopping bag and hatbox.
According to the Henri Bendel website, Bendel was the first luxury retailer to have a store on upper Fifth Avenue in New York City, and the first to hold twice-yearly sales, provide in-store makeovers and hold store fashion shows.
Over the years, the stores carried haute couture collections from Paris, as well as Bendel’s own apparel designs. The store also stocked fragrances, cosmetics, skincare, lingerie and handbags.
L Brands acquired the company in 1985 and opened a new New York City flagship in 1991.
In 2008, the company began expanding its store locations outside of New York.
The Latest

G.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.

Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The miner said its April sale featured a mix of commercial-quality primary rubies and secondary rubies of varying quality.


U.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.

Health monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

Ten organizations were selected this year.

Kim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

The company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.